Become a ‘Friend of Lough Neagh’

The Lough Neagh Partnership (LNP) has been one of the organisations leading on the process which aims to bring the entire expanse of Lough Neagh into community ownership. This ambitious project began with an extensive consultation process in 2015 and culminated in the facilitation of a wide group of stakeholder interests in the White River House Hotel in early 2016.

LNP is supporting the newly formed Lough Neagh Development Trust (LNDT) an organisation made up of the various interests around the Lough, to drive the aim of community ownership forward. Stakeholders articulated a vision addressing environmental, commercial, recreational, tourism and community interests ‘to bring about an internationally recognised, stable, sustainable, natural environment that supports communities through economic, social and recreational development.

The Lough Neagh Development Trust is working with the Earl of Shaftesbury, who is the current majority owner of the bed of the Lough and Lough Neagh stakeholders to develop this once in a generation opportunity and we need your support. We are all beneficiaries of this vital natural resource as we drink its water, eat its fish and build with its aggregates. Visitors from near and far enjoy and learn from its wildlife and natural habitats whilst others use it for recreation, education and science.

We are asking all members, colleagues, partner organisations and friends to visit the Lough Neagh Development Trust website www.loughneaghdevelopmenttrust.org , read the Trust story and register as a ‘Friend of Lough Neagh’. There is a facility to register as an organisation as well as an individual. LNP views the community acquisition of Lough Neagh as an opportunity to move current boundaries around asset ownership on whilst making a major statement affirming the community asset transfer concept.

Please lend your support – visit www.loughneaghdevelopmenttrust.org and click on ‘Become a Friend of Lough Neagh’. DTNI will continue to play a pivotal role in the process as we firmly believe that giving local people a stronger voice as owners of the Lough will result in better stewardship and will also help to realise the huge potential that the Lough has to offer local communities.